View source for Frogger

{{short description|1981 video game}}
{{About|the 1981 video game|the game's series|Frogger (series)|other uses|Frogger (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}}

{{Infobox video game
| title = Frogger
| image = Frogger arcade flyer.jpg
| caption = North American arcade flyer
| developer = [[Konami]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP/EU|Konami/[[Sega]]<ref name="GM172"/><ref name="EU">{{cite web|url=http://flyers.arcade-museum.com/?page=thumbs&db=videodb&id=6431|title=Video Game Flyers: Frogger, Konami|author1=Daniel Hower|author2=Eric Jacobson|website=The Arcade Flyer Archive|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref>|NA|[[Gremlin Industries|Sega/Gremlin]]}}
| designer = Takahide Arima<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timeextension.com/features/flashback-who-created-the-arcade-classic-frogger | title=Flashback: Who Created the Arcade Classic Frogger? | date=September 2023 }}</ref>
| series = ''[[Frogger (series)|Frogger]]''
| platforms = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|[[Arcade video game|Arcade]]}}|[[Atari 2600]], [[Intellivision]], [[Atari 8-bit]], [[Atari 5200]], [[TI-99/4A]], [[Commodore 64]], [[VIC-20]], [[ColecoVision]], [[Apple II]], [[Odyssey²]], [[Gakken Compact Vision TV Boy]], [[Dragon 32]], [[TRS-80]], [[Timex Sinclair 1000]], [[Timex Sinclair 2068]], [[IBM PC]], [[Mac (computer)|Macintosh]], [[PC-6001]], [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[Sega Genesis]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Game.com]], [[mobile phone]]}}
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|August 1981}}|'''Arcade'''{{vgrelease|JP|August 1981<ref name="Akagi">{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=27 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n27}}</ref>|NA|September 1981<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Manufacturers Equipment |magazine=[[Cash Box]] |date=16 January 1982 |page=37 |url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox43unse_32/page/37 |publisher=Cash Box Pub. Co.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Akagi |first1=Masumi |title=アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) |trans-title=Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005) |date=13 October 2006 |publisher=Amusement News Agency |language=ja |location=Japan |isbn=978-4990251215 |page=131 |url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n132}}</ref>|EU|October 1981<ref name="EU"/>{{Better source needed|date=August 2025}}}} '''2600'''{{vgrelease|NA|August 1982<ref>{{cite web |title=Atari VCS game release dates |url=https://www.atariarchive.org/atari-vcs-game-release-dates/ |website=Atari Archive}}</ref>|EU|September 16, 1982<ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Dennis |title=Game may send girls hopping mad |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/3/3d/TheGuardian_UK_1982-09-17%2C_Page_6.jpg |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 September 1982 |page=6}}</ref>}} '''Odyssey²'''{{vgrelease||1982}} '''Intellivision'''{{vgrelease||April 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/b5a61fa1-e7a2-4852-8fce-54657f9711bf |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=2 |date=May 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Atari 8-bit, 5200, TI-99/4A'''{{vgrelease||June 1983<ref name="vgujul83">{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/4f15e4a0-29f7-4f48-b78b-26b0db25a607 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=4 |date=July 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''C64, VIC-20'''{{vgrelease||July 1983<ref name="vgujul83"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/10c61ddf-c654-4d98-8ddf-a0e47afd7933 |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=5 |date=August 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''ColecoVision'''{{vgrelease||October 1983<ref>{{cite news |title=Availability Update |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/986f042e-b8fd-4c7a-94fd-d86c3065e39c |work=[[Computer Entertainer|The Video Game Update]] |volume=2 |issue=8 |date=November 1983 |page=16}}</ref>}} '''Gakken Compact Vision TV Boy'''{{vgrelease|JP|1983}} '''Apple II, IBM PC, Macintosh'''{{vgrelease||1984}} '''Game Boy'''{{vgrelease|NA|August 1998<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |publisher=Nintendo of America |title=Game Boy (original) Games |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402190758/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/downloads/dmg_games.pdf |archive-date=April 2, 2016 }}</ref>}} '''Game Boy Color'''{{vgrelease|NA|1998|EU|1998}} '''Genesis'''{{vgrelease|NA|1998<ref>{{cite web |publisher=[[Allgame]] |url=http://www.allgame.com/platform.php?id=24&tab=games |title=Sega Genesis — Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100210234957/http://allgame.com/platform.php?id=24&tab=games|archive-date=February 10, 2010 }}</ref>}} '''Super NES'''{{vgrelease|NA|1998}} '''Game.com'''{{vgrelease|NA|September 1999<ref>{{cite web |last1=Harris |first1=Craig |title=Frogger |url=http://pocket.ign.com/reviews/13197.html |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000815061047/http://pocket.ign.com/releases.html |archive-date=August 15, 2000 |date=October 6, 1999}}</ref>}}
}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| arcade system = 
}}

{{nihongo foot|'''''Frogger'''''|フロッガー|Furoggā|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1981 [[action video game]] developed by [[Konami]] and published by [[Sega]] for [[arcade video game|arcades]].<ref name="GM172">{{cite magazine|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19810901p.pdf#page=11|title=Page for Overseas Readers - Sega of Japan got all rights of "Frogger" from Konami|magazine=Game Machine|issue=172|publisher=Amusement Press, Inc.|format=PDF|date=1 September 1981|page=20|access-date=2019-12-17|lang=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191201074752/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19810901p.pdf|archive-date=1 December 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released in North America by [[Gremlin Industries|Sega/Gremlin]]. The object of the game is to direct five [[frog]]s to their homes by dodging traffic on a busy road, then crossing a river by jumping on floating logs, turtles, and alligators.

''Frogger'' was positively received by critics upon its release, and is considered one of the [[List of video games considered the best|greatest video games ever made]]. It was followed by numerous clones and several home-only sequels in the ''[[Frogger (series)|Frogger]]'' series. The 1982 [[Atari 2600]] version from [[Parker Brothers]] sold four million cartridges, making it one of the [[List of best-selling Atari 2600 video games|best-selling Atari 2600 games]]. By 2005, 20 million copies of its various home video game incarnations had been sold worldwide.

==Gameplay==
The objective of the game is to guide a frog to each of the empty homes at the top of the screen. The game starts with three, five, or seven frogs, depending on the machine's settings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frogger DIP Switch Settings|url=https://www.arcade-museum.com/dipswitch-settings/7857.html|website=International Arcade Museum}}</ref> Losing all frogs results in a [[game over]]. The player uses the four-direction [[joystick]] to hop the frog once. ''Frogger'' is either single-player or two players alternating turns.

[[File:Frogger game arcade.png|thumb|left|224px|Four frog homes at the top of the screen are filled. A fly is in the center one, which can be jumped on for 200 points.]]

The frog starts at the bottom of the screen, which contains a horizontal road occupied by speeding vehicles such as race cars, dune buggies, trucks, and bulldozers. The player must guide the frog between opposing lanes of traffic to avoid becoming roadkill and losing a life. After crossing the road, a [[median strip]] separates the two major parts of the screen. The upper half consists of a river with logs, alligators, and turtles, all moving horizontally across the screen in opposite directions. By jumping on swiftly moving logs and the backs of alligators and turtles, the player can guide the frog to safety. The player must avoid snakes, otters, and the open mouths of alligators. A brightly colored female frog is sometimes on a log and may be carried for bonus points. The very top of the screen contains five "frog homes", and at least one is always open and available. These sometimes contain bonus insects or deadly alligators.

When all five frogs are in their homes, the game progresses to the next level with increased difficulty. After five levels, the difficulty briefly eases and yet again progressively increases after each level. The timer gives 30 seconds to guide each frog into one of the homes, and resets back to 60 ticks whenever a life is lost or a frog reaches home safely.

In 1982, ''[[Softline (magazine)|Softline]]'' stated that "''Frogger'' has earned the ominous distinction of being 'the arcade game with the most ways to die'."<ref name="softline198211">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1982&pub=6&id=8 | title=Frogger | work=Softline | date=November 1982 | access-date=27 July 2014 | author=Rose, Gary and Marcia | pages=19}}</ref> There are many different ways to lose a life (illustrated by a [[skull and crossbones (poison)|skull and crossbones]] symbol where the frog was), including being run over by a road vehicle; jumping into the river; running into snakes, otters, or an alligator's jaws; sinking while on top of a diving turtle; riding a log, alligator, or turtle off the side of the screen; jumping into a home already occupied by a frog or alligator; jumping into the side of a home or the bush; or running out of time.

The opening tune is the first verse of a Japanese children's song called "Inu no Omawarisan" ("The Dog Policeman"). Other Japanese tunes include the themes to the [[anime]] series ''[[Hana no Ko Lunlun]]'' and ''[[Rascal the Raccoon]]''. The American release has the same opening song plus "[[Yankee Doodle]]".

===Scoring===
Forward steps score ten points, and every frog arriving safely home scores 50. Ten points are awarded per each unused ½ second of time. Guiding a lady frog home or eating a fly scores 200 each, and when all five frogs reach home to end the level the player earns 1,000 points. A single bonus frog is given at 20,000 points, while 99,990 points is the maximum high score that can be achieved on an original [[arcade cabinet]]. Players may exceed this score, but the game "rolls over" and only keeps the last five digits.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Classic Arcade Games For Sale |url=http://arcadeclassics.net/|website=arcadeclassics.net|language=en|access-date=2020-05-06}}</ref>

==Release==
The game was developed by [[Konami]]. On July 22, 1981, [[Sega]] gained exclusive rights to manufacture the game worldwide.<ref name="GM172"/>

===North America===
Sega/Gremlin was skeptical about ''Frogger''{{'}}s earning potential in North America, as no other company had licensed the game. Also, an earlier game called ''[[Frogs (video game)|Frogs]]'' that was developed there had flopped. It was believed that ''[[Eliminator (1981 video game)|Eliminator]]'' would be the company's next big hit. Elizabeth Falconer, a market researcher at Sega/Gremlin, was tasked by Gremlin founder Frank Fogleman to check the company's library of video presentations to see if there was anything worth licensing, and she stumbled across ''Frogger''.<ref name="Horowitz">{{cite book |last1=Horowitz |first1=Ken |title=The Sega Arcade Revolution: A History in 62 Games |date=22 June 2018 |publisher=[[McFarland & Company]] |isbn=978-1-4766-7225-0 |pages=36–42 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xT1jDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA36}}</ref> Thinking the game deserved a chance in spite of being "cute", Falconer requested a licensing window for playtesting. She persuaded executives who denigrated ''Frogger'' as a "women and kids game" by reminding them of ''[[Pac-Man]]''. Sega/Gremlin agreed to pay Konami $3,500 per day for a 60-day licensing window. A prototype was playtested at a San Diego bar and was so successful that distributors agreed to resell the game based on the test alone.{{r|Horowitz}}

Wanting to broaden the player base demographics,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox43unse_22/page/n45|title=How To Cope With Success Is Focus Of AMOA Expo '81|publisher=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|date=1981-10-31}}</ref> Jack Gordon, director of video game sales at Sega/Gremlin, noted that women shied away from the "[[shoot 'em up]]s" on the market, and that games like ''Frogger'' "filled the void".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox43unse_22/page/n55|title=How To Cope With Success Is Focus Of AMOA Expo '81 (continued)|publisher=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|date=1981-10-31}}</ref>

==Ports==
[[File:Diskette SEGA Frogger.jpg|thumb|''Frogger'' disk by [[Sierra On-Line]] for [[IBM Personal Computer|IBM PC]]]]
''Frogger'' was [[porting|ported]] to many contemporary home systems. Several platforms such as the [[Commodore 64]] support both [[ROM cartridge]]s and [[magnetic storage|magnetic media]], so they received multiple versions of the game.<ref name="moriarty198405">{{Cite magazine |last=Moriarty |first=Tim |date=May 1984 |title=Frogger |url=https://archive.org/stream/Ahoy_Issue_05_1984-05_Ion_International_US#page/n51/mode/2up |access-date=27 June 2014 |magazine=Ahoy! |pages=52–53}}</ref>

[[Sierra On-Line]] gained the magnetic media rights and sublicensed them to developers who published for systems not normally supported by Sierra. Cornsoft published the official [[TRS-80]]/[[Dragon 32]], [[Timex Sinclair 1000]], and [[Timex Sinclair 2068]] ports. Because of that, even the [[Atari 2600]] received multiple releases: a standard cartridge and a cassette for the [[Starpath Supercharger]]. Sierra released disk or tape versions for the Commodore 64, [[Apple II]], [[Macintosh 128K|original Macintosh]], IBM PC and Supercharger-equipped 2600, and cartridge versions for the [[TRS-80 Color Computer]].

[[Parker Brothers]] received the license from Sega for cartridge versions which it released for the Atari 2600, [[Intellivision]], [[Atari 5200]], [[ColecoVision]], [[Odyssey²]], [[Atari 8-bit computers]], [[TI-99/4A]], [[VIC-20]] and [[Commodore 64]]. Parker Brothers spent $10 million on advertising ''Frogger''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Harmetz|first=Aljean|title=New Faces, More Profits For Video Games |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=jnhcAAAAIBAJ&pg=4201,2482231|page=18|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Times-Union|date=January 15, 1983}}</ref> The Atari 2600 version was programmed by Ed English.<ref name="digitalpress">{{cite news |title=Ed English: 2600 (Frogger, Mr. Do!, Roc 'n Rope) |url=https://www.digitpress.com/library/newsletters/digitalpress/dp52.pdf#page=7 |access-date=19 April 2021 |work=Digital Press |issue=52 |date=May–June 2003 |page=7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111119205902/https://www.digitpress.com/library/newsletters/digitalpress/dp52.pdf |archive-date=19 November 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Coleco]] released stand-alone [[Coleco#History|Mini-Arcade]] tabletop versions of ''Frogger'', which, along with ''[[Pac-Man]]'', ''[[Galaxian]]'', and ''[[Donkey Kong (arcade game)|Donkey Kong]]'', had three million sales combined.<ref name="eg_16_10">{{cite magazine|title=More Mini-Arcades A Comin'| magazine=[[Electronic Games]]|date=June 1983|volume=4|issue=16|url=https://archive.org/stream/electronic-games-magazine-1983-06/Electronic_Games_Issue_16_Vol_02_04_1983_Jun#page/n9/mode/2up|access-date=1 February 2012|page=10}}</ref>

The game was ported to systems such as the [[PC-6001]] and [[Game Boy]]<ref>{{cite book |chapter=1981 |title=Sega Arcade History |date=2002 |series=[[Famitsu DC]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |pages=43–4 |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/segaarcadehistoryfamitsudc/page/n44 |language=ja}}</ref> (with two separate releases for the Game Boy and [[Game Boy Color]] in 1998).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/1999/08/26/frogger-3|title=Frogger|author=Craig Harris|website=[[IGN]]|date=August 26, 1999|access-date=January 9, 2023}}</ref> ''Frogger'' is one of the 6 [[launch game]]s for the 1983 [[Gakken Compact Vision TV Boy]].

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
 | ARC = true
 | A2600 = true
 | CV = true
 | PC = true
 | Allgame_ARC = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web |url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3580&tab=review |title =Frogger - Review| author = Weiss, Brett Alan |publisher = [[AllGame]] |access-date =August 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114173852/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=3580&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>
 | Allgame_A2600 = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Weiss |first1=Brett Alan |title=Frogger (Atari Video Computer System) - Review |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8450&tab=review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114194730/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=8450&tab=review |website=[[AllGame]] |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-11-14 |access-date=19 April 2021}}</ref>
 | CVG_ARC = Positive<ref name="CVG"/>
 | rev1 = ''Arcade Express''
 | rev1_A2600 = 9/10<ref name="Express"/>
 | rev2 = ''Computer Games''
 | rev2_CV = Classic<ref name="CG1985">{{cite magazine |title=1985 Software Buyer's Guide |magazine=Computer Games |date=February 1985 |volume=3 |issue=5 |pages=11–8 |url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_Games_Vol_3_No_5_1985-02_Carnegie_Publications_US/page/n13/mode/2up}}</ref>
 | rev2_PC = Classic<ref name="CG1985"/>
 | rev3 = ''[[Creative Computing]]''
 | rev3_A2600 = Positive<ref name="goodman1983spring"/>
 | rev4 = ''[[Electronic Fun with Computers & Games]]''
 | rev4_A2600 = A<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Video Game Explosion! We rate every game in the world |magazine=[[Electronic Fun with Computers & Games]] |date=December 1982 |volume=1 |issue=2 |pages=12–7 |url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Fun_with_Computer_Games_Vol_01_No_02_1982-12_Fun_Games_Publishing_US/page/n11/mode/2up}}</ref>
 | rev5 = ''[[The Space Gamer]]''
 | rev5_A2600 = Positive<ref name="SG"/>
}}

Reporting on Gordon's claim that ''Frogger''{{'}}s appeal lacked barriers of age or sex, ''[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]'' in October 1981 said "watch for it".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox43unse_18/page/38|title=Chicago Chatter: Dateline San Diego|publisher=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|date=1981-10-03}}</ref> Distributors reportedly found that Gordon's statement was accurate, with women enjoying its "non-aggressive yet challenging" gameplay. ''Frogger''{{'}}s success increased production, becoming one of the top-grossing arcade games in North America during 1981.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/cashbox43unse_26/page/42|title=Sega/Gremlin Steps Up Production of 'Frogger' Video, Bows Cocktail|publisher=[[Cashbox (magazine)|Cashbox]]|date=1981-11-28}}</ref> The arcade game earned over {{US$|135 million|long=no}} (equivalent to ${{formatprice|{{inflation|US|135000000|1981|r=0}}}} in {{Inflation-year|USD}}) for Sega/Gremlin in US cabinet sales, becoming the most successful Sega/Gremlin release.<ref name="Horowitz"/> In Japan, ''Frogger'' was the 12th highest-grossing arcade game of 1981.<ref>{{cite magazine|title="Donkey Kong" No.1 Of '81 — ''Game Machine's Survey Of "The Year's Best Three AM Machines"'' —|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=182|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=15 February 1982|page=30|url=https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19820215p.pdf#page=16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131232143/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19820215p.pdf|archive-date=31 January 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Home versions of ''Frogger'' had high sales. The 1982 Atari 2600 version earned its publisher [[Parker Brothers]] {{US$|40 million|long=no}} in orders upon launch.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wojahn |first1=Ellen |title=The General Mills/Parker Brothers Merger: Playing by Different Rules |date=2003 |publisher=Beard Books |isbn=978-1-58798-182-1 |page=139 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3aszv5J3wXcC&pg=PA139}}</ref> By the end of the year, {{nowrap|4 million}} Atari 2600 cartridges were sold with {{US$|80000000|long=no|1982|round=-6}} in [[wholesale]] revenue.<ref name="digitalpress"/> It became the company's most successful first-year product, beating the sales and revenues of its previous best-seller, ''[[Merlin (game)|Merlin]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Rosenberg|first=Ron|title=Competitors Claim Role in Warner Setback |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/666912291.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+11%2C+1982&author=Ron+Rosenberg+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=COMPETITORS+CLAIM+ROLE+IN+WARNER+SETBACK&pqatl=google|access-date=6 March 2012|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=December 11, 1982|page=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107073803/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/666912291.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+11%2C+1982&author=Ron+Rosenberg+Globe+Staff&pub=Boston+Globe+%28pre-1997+Fulltext%29&desc=COMPETITORS+CLAIM+ROLE+IN+WARNER+SETBACK&pqatl=google |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-11-07}}</ref> By 2005, {{nowrap|20 million}} copies of the various home versions had been sold worldwide, including {{nowrap|5 million}} in the United States.<ref name="frogger">{{cite press release | publisher=[[Konami]] | url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6135485.html | title=Konami's Frogger and Castlevania Nominated for Walk of Game Star | date=2005-10-11 | access-date=2009-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202065907/http://www.gamespot.com/news/konamis-frogger-and-castlevania-nominated-for-walk-of-game-star-6135485 |archive-date=2013-02-02}}</ref>

In 1981, ''[[Computer and Video Games]]'' reviewed the arcade game as "one of the popular new generation of arcade games which are getting way from space themes".<ref name="CVG">{{cite magazine |title=Arcade Action |magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]] |date=18 November 1981 |issue=2 (December 1981) |pages=30–1 |url=https://www.solvalou.com/arcade/reviews/159/419}}</ref> In his 1982 book ''Video Invaders'', Steve Bloom described ''Frogger'' as a "[[Platform game|climbing game]]" along with ''[[Space Panic]]'' (1980) and [[Nintendo]]'s ''[[Donkey Kong (arcade game)|Donkey Kong]]'' (1981). He said it was one of the "most exciting variations" on ''[[Pac-Man]]''{{'}}s [[Maze game|maze theme]] along with ''Donkey Kong'' due to how players need to "scale from the bottom of the screen to the top" which make them "more like obstacle courses than mazes" since "you always know where you're going—up."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Bloom |first1=Steve |title=Video Invaders |date=1982 |publisher=Arco Publishing |isbn=978-0668055208 |pages=29, 42 |url=https://archive.org/details/book_video_invaders/page/n49}}</ref> Brett Alan Weiss of ''[[AllGame]]'' later reviewed the arcade game, calling it one of "the most beloved videogames ever created" and "pure, undiluted gaming at its finest". He said the "graphics are cute and detailed, the sound effects are crisp and clear, and the controls are sharp and responsive".<ref name="allgamereview"/>

''Arcade Express'' reviewed the Atari VCS version in 1982, calling it "a highly authentic translation of the coin-op hit" that combines "great graphics with sophisticated play action".<ref name="Express">{{cite news |title=The Hotseat: Reviews of New Products |url=http://www.digitpress.com/library/newsletters/arcadeexpress/arcade_express_v1n3.pdf |access-date=19 April 2021 |work=Arcade Express |volume=1 |issue=3 |date=September 12, 1982 |pages=6–7 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114180301/http://www.digitpress.com/library/newsletters/arcadeexpress/arcade_express_v1n3.pdf |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> Ed Driscoll reviewed the Atari VCS version in ''[[The Space Gamer]]'', commenting: "All in all, if you liked the arcade version, this should save you a lot of quarters. The price is in line with most cartridges. It also proves that Atari isn't the only one making home versions of the major arcade games for the VCS."<ref name="SG">{{cite magazine|last=Driscoll |first=Ed |date=December 1982 |title=Capsule Reviews|magazine=[[The Space Gamer]]|publisher=[[Steve Jackson Games]]|issue=58|pages=48|url=https://archive.org/details/space-gamer_201601/Space_Gamer_58/page/n53}}</ref> [[Danny Goodman]] of ''[[Creative Computing|Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games]]'' wrote in 1983 that the Atari 2600 version "is one of the most detailed translations I have seen", noting the addition of the wraparound screen.<ref name="goodman1983spring">{{Cite magazine |last=Goodman |first=Danny |author-link=Danny Goodman |date=Spring 1983 |title=Home Video Games: Video Games Update |url=http://www.atarimagazines.com/cva/v1n1/vgupdate.php |magazine=Creative Computing Video & Arcade Games |page=32}}</ref> ''[[InfoWorld]]'s Essential Guide to Atari Computers'' cited the Sierra version as an entertaining arcade game.<ref name="mace1984">{{Cite book |last=Mace |first=Scott |url=https://archive.org/details/InfoWorlds_Essential_Guide_to_Atari/page/n83/mode/2up?view=theater |title=InfoWorld's Essential Guide to Atari Computers |date=1984 |publisher=Harper & Row |isbn=978-0-06-669006-3 |pages=74}}</ref> ''[[Ahoy! (magazine)|Ahoy!]]'' said that both the Sierra disk version and Parker Brothers cartridge version for the Commodore 64 "are excellent, with little to choose between them".{{r|moriarty198405}}

In 2013, ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' named ''Frogger'' one of the top ten games for the Atari 2600.<ref name=ew>{{cite magazine | url=http://www.ew.com/article/2013/01/25/the-10-best-atari-games | first=Aaron | last=Morales | title=The 10 best Atari games | magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] | date=January 25, 2013 | access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref>

==Legacy==
===Remakes and sequels===
{{Main article|Frogger (series)}}

In 1997, [[Hasbro Interactive]] released ''[[Frogger (1997 video game)|Frogger]]'', a vastly expanded remake of the original for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] developed by [[Sony Computer Entertainment Europe]]'s [[Cambridge]] [[Guerrilla Cambridge|division]]. Unlike the original, it consists of multiple different levels. It was a commercial success, with Windows sales alone at nearly one million units in less than four months.<ref>{{cite news|last=Reidy|first=Chris|title=Hasbro Unit Pays $5m for Atari Arcade Game Rights Plans Include New Versions for Users of PCs, Playstation|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/405201946|url-access=registration|access-date=28 March 2022|newspaper=[[The Boston Globe]]|date=March 17, 1998|id={{ProQuest|405201946}} |quote=Just before the holidays, Hasbro Interactive introduced a PC version of Frogger; in less than four months, it has sold nearly one million units}}</ref> In 1998, Hasbro released a series of versions of the game for the [[Sega Genesis]], [[Super NES]], [[Game.com]], [[Game Boy]], and [[Game Boy Color]]. Each version has different graphics, with the Genesis version having the same as the original arcade game. The Genesis and SNES versions are the last games released for those consoles in North America.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rignall |first=Jaz |title=System Swan Songs: The Last Games Released on the Greatest Consoles |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/system-swansongs-the-last-games-released-on-the-greatest-consoles |website=[[USGamer]] |access-date=25 July 2019 |date=December 27, 2015 |archive-date=July 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725122909/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/system-swansongs-the-last-games-released-on-the-greatest-consoles |url-status=dead }}</ref> Though using the same box art, they are otherwise unrelated to the 1997 remake.

In 2005, [[InfoSpace]] worked with Konami Digital Entertainment to create the mobile game ''Frogger for Prizes'',<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://mobile.gamezone.com/news/item/konami_digital_entertainment_and_infospace_partner_to_create_mobile_game_frogger_for_prizes Video Game News – Konami Digital Entertainment and InfoSpace Partner to Create Mobile Game Frogger for Prizes<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711071818/http://mobile.gamezone.com/news/item/konami_digital_entertainment_and_infospace_partner_to_create_mobile_game_frogger_for_prizes |date=2011-07-11 }}</ref> in which players across the U.S. competed in multiplayer tournaments to win daily and weekly prizes. In 2006, the [[mobile game]] version of ''Frogger'' grossed over $10 million in the United States.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frogger Mobile Games Exceed $10 Million In The US|url=http://www.gamezone.com/news/frogger_mobile_games_exceed_10_million_in_the_us|publisher=GameZone|access-date=20 April 2012|date=September 12, 2006}}</ref> A [[Java (programming language)|Java]] version was released for compatible [[mobile phone]]s.

''Frogger'' was released on the [[Xbox Live Arcade]] for the [[Xbox 360]] on July 12, 2006. It was developed by [[Digital Eclipse]] and published by [[Konami]]. It has two new gameplay modes: versus speed mode and co-op play. Some of the music was replaced, including the familiar ''Frogger'' theme. This version is in the compilation ''[[Konami Classics Vol. 1]]''.

[[Hamster Corporation]] released the game as part of their ''[[Arcade Archives]]'' series for the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[PlayStation 4]] in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hamster.co.jp/american_hamster/arcadearchives/title_list_aa.htm|title=Arcade Archives {{!}} HAMSTER Corporation|website=www.hamster.co.jp|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2020/03/guide_every_arcade_archives_game_on_nintendo_switch_plus_our_top_picks|title=Guide: Every Arcade Archives Game On Nintendo Switch, Plus Our Top Picks|date=2020-03-13|website=Nintendo Life|language=en-GB|access-date=2020-03-28}}</ref>

===Clones===
[[Video game clone]]s include ''Ribbit'' for the [[Apple II]] (1981), [[Acornsoft]]'s ''Hopper'' (1983) for the [[BBC Micro]] and [[Acorn Electron]], A&F Software's ''Frogger'' (1983) for BBC Micro and [[ZX Spectrum]], PSS's (Personal Software Services) ''Hopper'' for the [[Oric-1]] in the UK (1983) and a later release for the ORIC Atmos, ''Froggy'' for the ZX Spectrum released by DJL Software (1984), Solo Software's ''Frogger'' for the Sharp MZ-700 (1984) in the UK, and ''Leap Frog'' for the [[Grundy NewBrain|NewBrain]].

Several clones retain the basic gameplay of ''Frogger'' and change the style or plot. ''[[Pacific Coast Highway (video game)|Pacific Coast Highway]]'' (1982), for the [[Atari 8-bit computers]], splits the gameplay into two alternating screens: one for the highway, one for the water.<ref>{{cite AV media|title=Atari 8-bit – Pacific Coast Highway [Datasoft] 1982|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3jXD2OiB5A |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Q3jXD2OiB5A |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[Preppie! (video game)|Preppie!]]'' (1982), for the Atari 8-bit changes the frog to a [[preppy]] retrieving golf balls at a country club. ''[[Frostbite (video game)|Frostbite]]'' (1983), for the Atari 2600, uses the ''Frogger'' river gameplay with an arctic theme. ''[[Crossy Road]]'' (2014), for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, has a randomly generated series of road and river sections in one endless level, with only one life and a single point given for each forward hop.

===In popular culture===
*In 1983, ''Frogger'' made its animated television debut as a segment on [[CBS]]'s ''[[Saturday Supercade]]'' cartoon lineup. Frogger, voiced by [[Bob Sarlatte]], worked as an investigative reporter.
*The [[hardcore punk]] band [[Bad Religion]] recorded a song titled ''Frogger'', included on their 1985 EP ''[[Back to the Known]]'', which uses the game as a metaphor to describe the traffic in the band's hometown of [[Los Angeles]]. The song even opens with a sample of the game's theme music.
*In the 1998 ''[[Seinfeld]]'' episode "[[The Frogger]]",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://imdb.com/title/tt0697701/ |title="Seinfeld" The Frogger (1998) |publisher=Imdb.com |access-date=2011-02-09}}</ref> [[Jerry Seinfeld (character)|Jerry]] and [[George Costanza|George]] visit a soon-to-be-closed [[pizzeria]] they frequented as teenagers and discover the ''Frogger'' machine still in place, with George's decade-old [[high score]] still recorded.
*''Frogger'' appears in the films ''[[Wreck-It Ralph]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87E6N7ToCxs&t=44s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/87E6N7ToCxs |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Wreck-It Ralph Trailer |via=[[YouTube]] |date=2012-09-13 |access-date=2012-10-13}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ''[[Pixels (2015 film)|Pixels]]''<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.philstar.com/movies/2014/07/23/1349432/classic-video-game-characters-unite-film-pixels|title=Classic video game characters unite via film 'Pixels'|work=Philstar|date=July 23, 2014|access-date=July 23, 2014}}</ref> and ''[[Ralph Breaks the Internet]]''.{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}
*A scene in the [[Teen Titans (TV series)|''Teen Titans'']] episode "Cyborg the Barbarian" parodies the game.
*In 2006, a group in [[Austin, Texas]], used a modified [[Roomba]] dressed as ''Frogger'' to play a real-life version of the game.<ref>{{cite web|last=Terdiman |first=Daniel |url=http://news.cnet.com/40-lanes-and-a-Roomba/2100-1043_3-6049922.html?tag=nefd.top |title=Roomba takes Frogger to the asphalt jungle - CNET News.com |publisher=News.com.com |access-date=2011-02-09}}</ref>
*In science, Frogger is the name given to a [[transposon]] ("jumping gene") family in the fruit fly ''[[Drosophila melanogaster]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://flybase.org/reports/FBte0000314.html|title=FlyBase Transposon Report: Dmel\Frogger|website=Flybase.org|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref>
*In 2008, the City of Melbourne created a spin-off called ''Grogger'' as part of a public service campaign to encourage people to take safe transportation home after a night of drinking.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/grogger-flash-game-encourages-aussies-to-think-when-they-drink-113690.phtml|title=Grogger flash game encourages Aussies to think when they drink|website=Destructoid.com|date=December 5, 2008|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-date=December 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220070746/https://www.destructoid.com/grogger-flash-game-encourages-aussies-to-think-when-they-drink-113690.phtml|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Game show===
Konami announced that a ''Frogger'' game show was in production for [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]], produced by [[Konami Cross Media NY]] and [[Eureka Productions]]. It debuted on September 9, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Konami/status/1364318869242843136|title=Frogger goes hopping to TV|website=Twitter|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/frogger-gameshow-series-coming-to-peacock|title=Frogger Gameshow Series Coming to Peacock|website=IGN|date=February 23, 2021|accessdate=February 23, 2021}}</ref>

==Competition==
On November 26, 1999, Rickey's World Famous Sauce offered $10,000 to the first person who could score 1,000,000 points on ''Frogger'' or $1,000 for a new world record prior to January 1, 2000.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.recordholders.org/en/news/news065.html|title=$100,000 Prize Offered to Pac-Man Players|website=Recordholders.org|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.classicarcadegaming.com/bounties/RHS_1999_bounties/index.htm|title=Rickey's World Famous Sauce bounties|website=Classicarcadegaming.com|access-date=12 October 2017|archive-date=January 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180125102448/http://classicarcadegaming.com/bounties/RHS_1999_bounties/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 25, 2005, Robert Mruczek offered $1,000 for beating the fictitious world record of 860,630 as set by [[George Costanza]] in an episode of ''Seinfeld'' or $250 for a new world record by the end of that year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://spyhunter007.com/robert_mruczek_arcade_bounties.htm|title=Robert Mruczek Arcade Bounties|website=Spyhunter007.com|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1524620/gamings-top-ref-pays-big-bucks-for-record-breaking-scores| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150102162657/http://www.mtv.com/news/1524620/gamings-top-ref-pays-big-bucks-for-record-breaking-scores/| url-status=dead| archive-date=January 2, 2015|title=Gaming's Top Ref Pays Big Bucks For Record Breaking-Scores|website=Mtv.com|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> On December 1, 2006, John Cunningham offered $250 for exceeding the same fictitious world record of 860,630 points by February 28, 2007.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://forums.marpirc.net/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=13094&p=42713&hilit=frogger+bounty#p42713|title=Golden Era Game of the Week 12/2/06: Frogger|website=Forums.marpic.net|access-date=12 October 2017}}</ref> These scores were surpassed only after the bounties had all expired.

The first score to have been verified as having beaten George Costanza's fictional score of 860,630 points was set by Pat Laffaye of [[Westport, Connecticut]] on December 22, 2009, with 896,980 points.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.wired.com/2010/01/frogger-high-score/|title=Gamer Beats George Costanza's Frogger Score|magazine=Wired|access-date=8 July 2015|last1=Mastrapa|first1=Gus}}</ref> This score was surpassed by Michael Smith of [[Durham, North Carolina]] on September 21, 2024, scoring 1,404,570, becoming the first and only person verified by [[Twin Galaxies]] to break one million points on an original arcade machine.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Frogger |url=https://www.twingalaxies.com/games/leaderboard-details/Frogger/arcade |access-date=2025-10-11 |website=www.twingalaxies.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{KLOV game|id=7857}}
* [http://www.arcade-history.com/?page=detail&id=879 ''Frogger''] at the Arcade History database
* {{MobyGames|/frogger}}

{{Frogger series}}
{{Konami franchises}}
{{Authority control}}

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